KATETE – President Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed the Food Reserve Agency (FRA)'s prompt payment of farmers for maize deliveries, describing the development as unprecedented in Zambia's history.
Speaking during a United Party for National Development (UPND) campaign rally in Katete, President Hichilema said the introduction of digital payment systems has eliminated the long queues farmers previously endured at banks after delivering their maize.
"I instructed FRA that this year I did not want my farmers to queue at the bank. You weigh your maize and get paid within two days through mobile money," President Hichilema said.
The President noted that farmers who delivered maize on the opening day of the 2026 crop marketing season had already begun receiving payments through mobile money, describing the achievement as a first for the country.
"For the first time in the history of Zambia, those who delivered maize on the 29th of July have already been paid through Mobile Money. It has never happened in the history of this country. That's how we show our love to our fellow farmers," he said.
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) confirmed that it paid more than K3.2 million to farmers within 24 hours after purchasing 467.35 metric tonnes of maize on July 29, the first day of this year's crop marketing season.
FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai said the payments were made through farmers' preferred bank accounts and mobile e-wallets following the simultaneous opening of 1,750 maize buying depots nationwide.
He explained that while payments may take between two and three days as maize deliveries increase due to higher transaction volumes, the agency remains committed to processing payments as quickly as possible.
The FRA is purchasing maize at K347 per 50-kilogramme bag and aims to buy 500,000 metric tonnes during the current marketing season, while carrying over 1.4 million metric tonnes from last season.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema announced that Government will increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to ensure more farmers receive their own fertiliser and seed instead of sharing inputs.
The President also said a renewed UPND mandate would enable Government to continue programmes such as free education, the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Cash for Work, and the Social Cash Transfer programme while creating more jobs for teachers, nurses and other public service workers.
He noted that payments under the Cash for Work programme have increased over time, saying beneficiaries now receive K1,000, up from K180.
President Hichilema further pledged to construct a district hospital in Katete, improve mobile network coverage, accelerate the rehabilitation of the Chanida–Katete and Katete–Chadiza roads, and invest in additional dams to support livestock and irrigation farming.
He urged voters to support the UPND in the August 13, 2026 General Election, saying another term would allow Government to consolidate ongoing development programmes. He also encouraged eligible voters to turn out early on polling day and avoid excessive alcohol consumption on the eve of the election to ensure they are able to vote.
Source :
Kalemba